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I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream.
But, you know what there won't be screaming over?
This pretend ice cream parlor by Melissa & Doug. Because it's designed for two kids to share and actually play nicely with.
And my Twin-Toddler Mom ears are here for it.
Some single toys just don't work for twins because they both want to play with it at the same time and fight over the few pieces, but this is a case where it works perfectly for a pair of preschoolers because of how well it's designed.
Imagination station
The Cool Scoops Ice Creamery by Melissa & Doug is an interactive toy that's wonderful for twins because it unlocks endless imaginative play and storytelling scenarios while they learn social skills through hands-on, screen-free fun.
One child can pretend they're the soda jerk or ice cream shop owner who's creating creamy confections and slingin' stackable scoops outta their sturdy wooden counter, and the other can pretend they're the customer who's ordering a decadent frozen treat, whether it's a single or double scoop of hard ice cream, single or mixed-flavor soft-serve twist cone (waffle OR regular) topped with sprinkles and fudge, velvety malts or milkshakes, or a classic ice cream sandwich.
The Cool Scoops ice cream station is equipped with a soft serve dispenser, a magnetic write-on payment tablet, a magnetic menu board, a refreshing frozen treat display area, and lots of storage for the different pieces that make this play set so awesome, like the different-flavored stackable wooden scoops, chocolate and vanilla soft serve swirls that can be combined to make a twist cone, cones (vanilla, chocolate or waffle), and a scooper that lifts and secures scoops onto cones, into a cup, or into a branded to-go container.
It also comes with a magnetic board so your entrepreneurs can set up the menu of the day, a milkshake cup with vintage vibes, a loyalty treat card, and even a credit card to swipe through the payment terminal that the customer can sign once their purchase has been approved.
Servin' up skills
This play set is a practical piece for preschoolers because it has so many different elements that it promotes the development of a variety of skills while they play.
It helps early math skills, like sorting, counting, and sequencing, while they create the orders dreamed up by their sibling or parents, and money skills as they decide how much to charge patrons at their parlor.
Communication and practical life skills are developed and honed while they play out a purchase scenario.
Kids can also gain confidence as they continue to develop their fine-motor skills through many stages of the play scenarios, from stacking the ice cream scoops, to building the ice cream sandwich concoctions.
They can further hone their fine motor skills as they create single-serve scoops using the special dispenser; they can place hard- or soft-serve scoops into the top of the dispenser and then pull the lever down to drop the ice cream onto a waiting cone or into a waiting cup.
They can also develop their gross motor skills as they set up the menu board of the day with corresponding magnets, run a customer's credit card through the terminal, and get them to sign and approve their purchase.
Our twins absolutely love this ice creamery. They've been playing with it almost non-stop since they got it.
Beyond ordering ice cream, their imaginations run wild with other situations, from running out of chocolate sprinkles to their freezer breaking and melting all of their ice cream for the day.
It's really fun to see what their minds come up with and how they play out every scenario.
TwinsyTwins Shop
Cool Scoops Ice Creamery by Melissa & Doug
Serves Up Foundational Skills
This is the Cool Scoops Ice Creamery by Melissa & Doug. Rated for ages three and up, it's a 42-piece play set that opens up endless opportunities for your children to develop early learning skills as they create, imagine, and role play as both the customer and the server. Made of wood and durable accessories, this set is sturdy and will stand up to hour after hour of imaginative play with your twins.
Whether your twins want to play together cooperatively or independently, this play set is a thoughtfully designed toy that will keep them busy and entertained while you enjoy seeing where their imaginations take them.
The sky's the limit
As with anything we tell our kids when we want them to strive for the best, the sky's the limit.
Their level of fun (and of learning) can be one, or two, or six scoops high. Sit back and watch what they do with this Cool Scoops station.
As a kid, the best part is getting to pick what kind of ice cream or milkshake you're going to order or make while you play.
As a parent, the best part is that all of the pieces have a designated spot in the sturdy wooden counter, which means it only takes a moment to clean and close-up shop at the end of the day.
Win-win for everybody. Now, that's pretty cool.
What do you think? Would your twins think this ice cream shop is cool? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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